The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-07-23
THE CAMP FIRE.
FAST DRIVING.

AS the years pass since the war, the
"reminiscences of those engaged In 1t
become tougher TO swallow; and that
the hard stories are not all on one side
let the following bear evidence;
1t was In CO when us rebs had TO
make ourselves scarce around these
parts, says writer in the Nashville
linton. ! was in the ordinance de-
partment, and had 10 gather all the
loose powder In the city and put It
into a wagon, the bed OF which was
shaped like that of coke car. This
was the last load, and the report OF the
Yankees was hourly brought In by the
country youth who lived In the north
of the city. | was loaded with about
1000 pounds Of powder-enough TO
b ow up the whole country.
AS crossed Broad street | heard
the crack of carbines in the vicinity OF
81. Cecilia. knew that the Yankees
were there, and presently there dashed
by me a squad of Confederate cavalry
that had been stationed out there as
scouts. They all yelled In one voice
for me TO drive fast, as there was q
whole brigade of Pennsylvania cavalry
coming Knowing how fast the Key
stone state horesemen could ride,
doubled my speed, at break-neck pace,
followed by the rear guard OF our cav.
airy. When ! reached the top OF
George Hill the Yankee cavalry were
on the square, and commenced 10 pop
away mt me with their carbnes. As
knew the distance, only laughed at
them.
They guessed, as they always guess
ed, the substance of my cargo. and
they determined 10 get 1t, or not let
the rebs have It.
flashed my horses to greater speed
and then looked around TO enjoy the
fun. / saw one of the boys la blue
stopping over and lighting with n
match, as / thought. q pile of powder.
II flashed up brightly, and kept on
flashing, coming down the hill very
rapidly. looked again, and to my
horror discovered long line of pow
der following me up the hill. Well, l
was not long In discovering that the
pin that plugged the hole in the bot
tom of the wagon, through which we
fallen out and had left stream Of
powder all the way behind me, about
two inches wide and one inch deep,
and the Yankees had set il on fire, and
In this way intended TO do way with
the powder, and me, too.
The way drove out of Nashville
was terrible, as did not want To blow
up the town. did not stop 10 even
put peg in the hole The faster |
drove the more powder Jolted out, and
faster the flame flashed toward me. /
thought 1t was only few moments
before would be roosting on one Of
the steeples in the vicinity Even the
horses caught the inspiration, and
fairly few. / froze 10 my seat and
could not have got of unless some one
had Knocked me off. All OF q sudden
a happy thought struck me. 1t was
only mile from where was to.
Browns Creek, and If / could only
reach that would be safe. But faster
and faster came the burning powder,
and 1t was within fifteen yards of me
and going at a terrible rate.
On we dashed, and in my delirium l.
fancied / could hear the murmur OF
the crystal waters Of the little but i'm
portant creek. Forward we went, the
horses breathing hard, down the steep.
hill to the bank OF the creek, and there,
just before me, was a pile of rafters,
which were fragments Of the bridge
torn up by the Confederates. They
lay across the entrance TO the ford.
All was up, and was caught at last.
The horses and wagon struck the bar
ricade at the same instant, and as /
went over headfrst into the middle of
the creek / renounced the cause and
the Confederates as fools. Just as my
head struck the water the flame OF
powder which had mercilessly pur-
sued me for two miles caught up at
last There was loud explosion, and
in few moments found myself
sitting quarter of mile of in a field
with both pockets full of fishes.
CrRIO9TTTFS OF THE LATE WAR